Mercury Sable Complaints (2003)

201 consumer complaints on file.

#10254126January 7, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:REAR
DAY 1 - FAILURE OR LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING - SPEED APPROX. 30MPH SPRING JUST POPPED WITH A LOUD JARRING BANG. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY - REPAIRED AND REPLACED LEFT FRONT SPRING ASSEMBLY. NEXT MORNING - FAILURE - LEFT REAR COIL SPRING. RESULTING IN TIRE BLOW OUT SPEED 5 MPH. CURRENTLY BACK AT REPAIR FACILITY. FORD/MERCURY ARE KNOWN TO HAVE SPRING PROBLEMS BUT EVIDENTLY UNLESS SOMEONE DIES NOTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT. CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM THE SAID NO RECALL NOTHING WE CAN DO. JUST LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS - OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT A FREAK OCCURRENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252180December 18, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. AFTER SEVERE RAINY CONDITIONS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR EXHIBITED AN EXCESSIVE ACCUMULATION OF WATER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY, WINDSHIELD) WHICH IDENTIFIES THE WATER LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURES IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252237December 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
2003 MERCURY SABLE SUSPENSION-FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRING NHTSA ACTION # PE04044 CAMPAIGN ID #04V332000 THIS IS A OLD PROBLEM THAT IS STILL HERE AND ALIVE. MY 2003 MERCURY SABLE HAS BROKEN A SPRING AND DESTROYED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CALL THE LOCAL FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THIS IS A NORMAL PROBLEM WITH FORD & MERCURY. THEY REPLACED BOTH STRUTS AND COILS AND TIRE AND ALIGNMENT FOR $1366.00. THE CAR HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME AND WAS IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE TIRE BLOW. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED INJURY. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL FORD & MERCURY CARS UNTIL THIS PROBLEM GOES AWAY. I HAVE CUT OFF ABOUT ONE FOOT OF THE OLD COIL TO PROVE A FAULTY COIL BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND COIL SPRING WHILE STILL ON THE CAR.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251642December 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
PUTTING CAR INTO REVERSE, I FELT THE AIR GO UT OF THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS THE COIL SPRING THAT BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251204December 9, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY WIFE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE STRANGE NOISE IN HER CAR WHEN SHE STARTED TO BACK OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 8, 2008. I REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL EXPECTING TO SEE WORN OUT BRAKE PADS. INSTEAD, THE WHEEL STARTED TO MOVE TOWARD ME WHEN I BEGAN REMOVING THE LUG NUTS. THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN INTO TWO PARTS. FORTUNATELY, IT BROKE OVERNIGHT AND DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAVE DAMAGED THE TIRE. TIME WILL TELL WHETHER OR NOT IT WEAKENED THE INNER SIDEWALL OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. FAILURE ANALYSIS OF THE 28 CM LENGTH OF SPRING BROKEN OFF FROM THE LOWER END OF THE SPRING IS AS FOLLOWS: THE BROKEN CROSS-SECTION OF THE SPRING HAS A DARK RUST SECTION, ABOUT 15 MM CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AND 2 MM RADIAL FROM THE EXTERIOR SURFACE. THE EXTERIOR SURFACE OF THE SPRING IS RUSTED WHERE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY PROTECTIVE BLACK COATING NEAR THE DEFECTIVE CROSS SECTION. THIS SURFACE AREA IS ABOUT 25 MM CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AND 15 MM LONG FROM THE FRACTURED CROSS SECTION. THERE ARE ABOUT 4 RADIAL FRACTURE LINES EMANATING FROM THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE SPRING STARTING AT THE 15 MM X 2MM RUSTED AREA. THERE APPEARS TO BE PINPOINT RUST AREAS THROUGHOUT ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE REMAINING CROSS SECTION, BY MY NAKED EYE. I WILL BE REPLACING THE COIL SPRING TODAY OR TOMORROW, EITHER MYSELF OR AT A GARAGE. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE AS RECALL NUMBER 04N-332. THIS DEFECT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I AM LAID OFF. I HAVE BEEN A FRICTION MATERIAL ENGINEER FOR OVER 25 YEARS. NO WONDER AMERICANS HAVE STOPPED BUYING AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES. THIS MERCURY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MUCH BETTER THAN MY DODGE VEHICLES UP UNTIL NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250233December 1, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN SLEETING CONDITIONS, COMING TO A STOP LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER WAS GETTING COLDER. THE HEATER WAS SET AT 78 DEGREES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE AND, AS A RESULT, THE FRONT AND REAR GLASS FOGGED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THROUGH THE GLASS AND THE DEFROSTER WOULD NOT CLEAR THE GLASS. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE AND CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD WITH A CLOTH IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE COIL WAS FILLED WITH WATER, WHICH CAUSED THE HEATER TO FAIL. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AT THE COST OF $500. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,800 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,175. UPDATED 12/17/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233355July 7, 2008
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED INTO A SERVICE STATION AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. HE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES LATER. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V106000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH); HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10228233May 19, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BEYOND 7 RPMS WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE EXTREMELY HARD THEN SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WOULD STOP. IN ADDITION, SHE STATED THAT SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. AS OF MAY 19, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THE MECHANIC THE OIL SEAL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE OIL PAN SEAL AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,850 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36850.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10227447May 12, 2008
STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHENEVER THE CAR IS RAINED UPON, WATER RUNS INTO THE FAN MOTOR AIR INTAKE, THEN INTO THE FAN BLOWER MOTOR, WHICH IS INSIDE THE CAR BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX, AND THEN RUNS OUT ONTO THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE BLOWER MOTOR THAT SHORTED OUT FROM THE WATER IN IT, AND HAVE TO PULL THE CARPET UP SO IT CAN DRY OUT. ALSO, AFRAID OF THE POSSIBILITY OF MOLD GROWING EITHER IN THE AIR VENTS OR IN THE CARPET. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP SELLS A PART TO INSTALL UNDER THE HOOD OVER THE AIR BLOWER INTAKE TO CHANNEL WATER AWAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10225768April 26, 2008
STRUCTURE
WATER LEAKED INTO CAR INTERIOR FOOT AREA AND SHORTED OUT AC/HEATER BLOWER MOTOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10221239March 14, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
I WAS HEADING TO CHURCH. I TURNED ON TO ANOTHER ROAD WHEN MY CAR STOPPED GOING. IT SOUNDED FINE BUT WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS TO GO, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR ABOUT 3 TO 4 YRS, AND HAVE ONLY PUT ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ECKENROD FORD IN CULLMAN, AL. WITH A LOT OF PERSISTENCE AND A BULLDOG ATTITUDE, THEY ARE CURRENTLY FIXING MY CAR. BUT, IT IS COSTING ME MONEY I DON'T HAVE SINCE I JUST HAD A BABY. WHO ,BY THE WAY, WAS WITH ME WHEN THE CAR FAILED TO DRIVE PROPERLY (ON A COLD SNOWY SAT. MORNING). THEY KNOW THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF IT ALL TOGETHER. I COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY LIKE THE LAST CAR I HAD WHEN IT DID THE SAME THING. GUESS WHAT, IT WAS A 2000 FORD TAURUS WITH THE SAME SERVICE BULLETIN AS THIS CAR AND HAD TO BE FIXED BUT I DIDN'T PAY FOR IT. INSTEAD THEY MANAGED TO GET ME IN THE CAR I CURRENTLY HAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY NEED TO FIX THEIR CARS AND QUIET GIVING THE CONSUMER A HARD TIME ABOUT IT. HOW MANY HAVE TO TEAR UP BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT????????? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10216063January 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING ON OUR 2003 MERCURY SABLE BROKE AND SHREDDED THE TIRE. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED AT 0-30 MPH, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. THE 2003 MERCURY SABLE HAS 72,000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213691January 4, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE AND THEN A BLOWOUT ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE.I WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE MV AT THE TIME. THE COIL SPRING BROKE/SHATTERED AND A PIECE OF IT WENT THRU THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE PUTTING A 6-8" GASH IN THE TIRE. WE HAVE THE PIECES OF THE SPRING. FORD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE US FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS MADE AT A FORD DEALER(NORTHAMPTON FORD ). THE VEHICLE HAD 50577 MILES. IN RESEARCHING THIS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THAT SINCE 1999 THEY HAVE HAD RECALLS AND REPAIR PROGRAMS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON VARIOUS MODELS BUT APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT IN THE 2003 SABLE. FORTUNATLEY SHE WAS NOT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I FOUND TWO SITES ON THE INTERNET THAT HAD MANY REPORTS/COMPLAINTS OF THIS IN VARIOUS FORD VEHICLES. THE FOLLOWING WEEK MY 82 YOA MOTHER WHO DRIVES A 2003 FORD FOCUS THOUGHT SHE HAD A SOFT TIRE, WENT TO HER LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THESE REPAIRS WERE COVERED AND REIMBURSED BY FORD. I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD VEHICLES.I WAS ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THE AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURERS DO NOT MAKE REPLACEMENT STRUTS FOR THE 2003 SABLE. ALL OF THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN AND OR MANUFACTURE OF THEIR COIL SPRINGS WHICH COVERS SEVERAL YEARS OF VEHICLES. HAD MY WIFE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY SHE PROBABLY WOULD LIKELY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND HAD A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FINDING A BROKEN COIL SPRING AFTER AN ACCIDENT LIKE THAT YOU WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVE THAT IT (THE BROKEN SPRING WHICH CAUSED THE BLOWOUT) WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE ACCIDENT. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER MANUFACTURER HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THAT THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IS IN JEOPARDY. OUR VEHICLE IS USED EXCLUSIVELY BY MY WIFE A SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR- NO TEEN AGERS DRIVING IT WHO WOULD BE EMULATING THE DUKES OF HAZHARD. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213122December 28, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, STRUCTURE
FORD TAURUS AND THE MERCURY SABLE'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WATER LEAKING INTO THE HEATER CORE BOX WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSES THE HEATER MOTOR AND STOP WORKING. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING POST ON THE INTERNET THAT IS APPARENTLY A DESIGN FLAW. MY CAR HAD 44,000 MILES AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOTOR QUIT WORKING. THE BILL TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS $471.28. THE WARRANTY HAD OBVIOUSLY EXPIRED BUT I FELT LIKE FORD MOTOR CO SHOULD RE-IMBURSE THE COST OF THE REPAIR SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THEY DECLINED TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10210066November 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE FAN MOTOR CHIRPED WHEN THE FAN WAS ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAN MOTOR WAS LEAKING WATER AND THEY MADE THE REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE A/C BLOWER MOTOR WAS RUSTED DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209536November 20, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. WHEN IT RAINED, THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER ABOVE THE DRIVER SIDE TOP CORNER. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS VERY LOOSE AND IMPROPERLY SEALED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V087000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205553October 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WATER AND RAIN LEAK INTO BLOWER HOUSING AND THEN ONTO PASSENGER FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS AND THIS DISABLES THE HEATING THE AND COOLING SYSTEMS IN THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205290October 9, 2007
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING AND STAYING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE LEAKING CAUSED THE BLOWER MOTOR IN THE COOLING SYSTEM TO FAIL. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199309August 11, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, STRUCTURE
MERCURY SABLE 2003 LEAKS WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD ALSO CAUSING MY AC BLOWER MOTOR TO SHORT OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198943August 9, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY SABLE. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED, WHICH COST $613. ON JULY 26, 2007, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, TOTALING $886. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,825.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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